Apparatus for rotating track chain bushing

ABSTRACT

It is recommended practice to turn each bushing in a track chain of a track-type vehicle which is composed of interconnected bushings and links after a measured amount of wear has occurred to expose different wear surfaces and extend the useful life of the track chain. Heretofore, such turning of the bushing required time consuming disassembly and reassembly of the track chain or the use of inefficient tools. A method and apparatus are provided for rotating the bushing and exposing a new wear surface. The method includes torquing the bushing (14) and impacting the link (12) to turn the bushing (14). The apparatus includes a clamp (24) which engages and torques the bushing (14) and an impactor (36,38) for impacting the link (12) until the bushing (14) rotates relative to the link (12).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to endless track chains and more particularly tomethods and apparatus for turning the track chain bushings with thetrack fully assembled.

BACKGROUND ART

Commonly used track chains for earthmoving vehicles comprise a pluralityof track links. The track links are connected into two parallel endlesschains by means of track line hinge joints having track pins joining theends of adjacent pairs of links and spanning the space between theparallel chains. Drive sprockets drive the track chains and providelocomotion for the vehicle by acting against bushings upon the trackpins.

For efficient and low cost operation, it is, of course, desirable toconstruct a track chain in a manner to provide for long, trouble-freeoperating life. All track parts are subject to wear because of theservice they perform and the abrasive environment in which they operate.Recent developments in seals and lubrication methods promise to increasethe life of some track parts measurably and it appears that the trackbushing in its present form may well continue to be one of the firstelements of the track to require repair or replacement.

Force for driving the tracks by sprocket is received upon a givenportion of the bushing. Additionally, as each such bushing comes intoengagement with or tends to be disengaged from the sprocket, the sameportion of the bushing always contacts the sprocket. Since the bushingis conventionally pressed into the inner pair of links, it does notrotate while in engagement with the sprocket. There is, however, limitedmotion between the bushing and sprocket during engagement anddisengagement of the sprocket with the bushing. The motion of thebushing against the sprocket is commonly referred to as "scrubbing" andcauses substantial abrasion of the portion of the bushing which contactsthe sprocket.

Prior art efforts to provide long life bushings have been directed atcompensating for such abrasion of the bushings. For example, it has beenrecommended practice to reverse or turn each bushing after a measuredamount of wear, so that such wear occurs on different portions of thebushing surface.

Heretofore, such reversing or turning of the bushing required timeconsuming disassembly and reassembly of the track chain, which is, ofcourse, undesirable. It is desirable to be able to rotate the bushingsto present another wear surface thereof to the sprocket with the trackchains completely assembled and in place on the vehicle.

Examples of methods and apparatus for turning bushings are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 3,915,036 granted Oct. 28, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,090granted Jan. 11, 1977 which is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,036;and U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,141 granted Sept. 27, 1977 which is acontinuation of abandoned U.S. Application Ser. No. 617,346 filed Sept.29, 1975 which was a division of U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,036, all of whichhad Harold W. Vanlandingham, Roger L. Boggs, David A. Bullock, and JamesN. Maytum as common joint inventors.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,036 a clamp member is connected to the bushingand a hydraulic cylinder is connected to the clamp member to apply theforce required to turn the bushing. The clamp member has two partsadapted to encircle a bushing of a preselected size. The two parts areplaced on the bushing and bolted together and a third part is moved byscrews into engagement with the worn portion of the bushing, which istime consuming and inefficient. While the apparatus effectively turnsthe bushing either a very high pressure pump or a large cylinder must beused.

On a track suitable for use with a D9 track-type tractor manufactured byCaterpillar Tractor Co., the links are pressed onto the bushings with aninterference about 0.2 mm (0.008 inch). When the apparatus of U.S. Pat.No. 3,915,036 is employed to turn these bushings, the cylinder has abouta 200 mm (8.0 inch) diameter and uses a pump which delivers about 69,000kPa (10,000 psi) as compared to the 35,000 kPa (5,000 psi) or lessnormally used in the vehicle hydraulic systems. Such high pressure canmobilize nuts, bolts or other machine parts, tools or equipment andcause injury if a leak developed. Using a lower output pump wouldrequire an even larger cylinder which would require partial or totaldisassembly of the track. It is desirable to have a compact bushingturning tool which does not require higher than normal fluid pressures.

A solution to the high fluid pressure problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,002,090 where an elongated arm member is connected to the clampmember. The extended end of the arm is positioned to be contacted by abody which is fixed relative to the vehicle, upon forward motion of thevehicle. Thus, the forward driving force of the vehicle is utilized tothe bushing. While high fluid pressure is not required, the bushings areturned while the vehicle is in motion which is itself undesirable sinceit means mobilizing a mass of about 35,000 kg (76,000 lb.). It isdesirable to rotate the bushings of a completely assembled track withoutmobilizing the entire vehicle.

A method for turning bushings is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,141using the apparatus of Patent Nos. 3,915,036 and 4,002,090 and similarapparatus. This method has the advantages of the apparatus used toperform the method and, unfortunately, the disadvantages also. Thus, themethod employs a high pressure pump, a large cylinder or a moving trackchain or it requires at least partial disassembly of the track. It istherefore desirable to have a bushing turning method which is simple toperform on a stationary, fully assembled track without the use of highfluid pressure or large cylinders.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention an apparatus is provided forcontrollably rotating a first cylindrical member relative to a secondmember connected thereto. The apparatus includes a clamp for engagingthe cylindrical member and apparatus for applying a turning force to theclamp and torquing the first member. The apparatus also includesapparatus for successively impacting the second member. In anotheraspect of the present invention a method for rotating a cylindricalmember relative to a connected member is provided by applying a rotativeforce to the cylindrical member and impacting the connected member.

The present invention solves the problem of efficiently and effectivelyturning a cylindrical track bushing relative to a connected track chainlink by torquing the bushing and impacting the link, eliminating theneed for large cylinders on high pressure pumps. By impacting the linksthe bushing torque required to turn the bushing is reduced so that smallcylinders and low pressure pumps can be used. The bushings are turnedwith the track fully assembled and stationary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view taken along lineI--I of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic transverse sectional view taken along lineII--II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a partial diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view taken alongline III--III of FIG. 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional track-type vehicle track 10 iscomposed of a series of interconnected links 12, bushings 14, bushingpins 16 and shoes 18 which interact to propel the track-type vehicle 20in a well known manner.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an apparatus 22 controllably rotates a firstcylindrical member, such as the bushing 14, relative to a secondconnected member, such as the link 12. The apparatus 22 includes a clamp24 which has a construction sufficient for circumferentially engagingthe bushing 14 with a force sufficient for preventing relative motionbetween the clamp 24 and bushing 14. The clamp 24 is preferably a chaintype clamp. The apparatus 22 also includes a second clamp 26. The chains24,26 are positioned between the links 12 about opposed end portions ofthe bushing 14 in the installed position. The chains 24,26 arepreferably tungsten carbide faced pipe wrench chains.

A first means 28 is provided for applying a turning force to each of theclamps 24,26 and torquing the bushing 14 a preselected amount in a firstdirection. The first means 28 includes motor means, such as a hydrauliccylinder 30 connected to the clamp 24 for applying the turning force tothe clamp 24. By this construction, the clamp 24 is merely placed aboutthe bushing 14 and the motor means 30 tightens the clamp 24 and torquesthe bushing 14.

The fluid motor 30 preferably has about a 25 mm (1 in.) stroke, maximumdiametrical dimension of about 100 mm (4.0 in.) and preferably receivesfluid pressurized to about 290 Kpa (2000 psi). The diameter andoperating pressure of the cylinder 30 will, of course, depend upon thespecific use for which it is employed, but for turning track bushings14, the diameter need not exceed 100 mm and the pressure need not exceed725 kPa.

The apparatus 22 also includes second means 32 for successivelyimpacting the link 12. The second means 32 preferably includes aneccentric crankshaft motor 34 of the type described in U.S. Pat. No.3,770,322 granted on Nov. 6, 1973 to Delwin E. Cobb, Carl L. Kepner,Wayne E. Roberts and Albert L. Woody; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,145granted Feb. 25, 1975 to Delwin E. Cobb, Jerry D. Fidler, Nathan Gutman,Richard E. Livesay, and Orrin A. Stemler.

The motor 34 has first and second impactors 36,38 each having a "T"shaped cross section. The impactors 36,38 are a size sufficient forimpacting a selected area of an associated link 12. The impactors 36,38are 180° out of phase and successively deliver alternating impact blowsto the links 12, preferably at a rate of 1000 impacts per minute perlink. The motor 34 is preferably driven by a pump which develops a fluidpressure of about 13,780 kPa (2000 psi) so that the impactors 36,38impact each link 12 with a maximum force of about 3375 N (15,000 lbf).

A housing 40 encloses the eccentric crankshaft motor 34 and first means28. A third means, such as a support chain 42 maintains the apparatus 22at a preselected position relative to the links 12 and bushing 14. Thesupport chain 42 has a length sufficient for being entrained about thebushing 14. The chain 42 has rollers 44 which circumferentially engagethe surface of the bushing 14. The rollers 44 allow the bushing 14 torotate within the support chain 42. By this construction, the impactors36,38 are maintained at the proper position for impacting the links 12.

Industrial Applicability

In one aspect of the present invention the bushings 14 of the track 10are turned in place on the vehicle 20 with the track 10 fully assembled.The apparatus 22, which has a mass of only about 113 Kg (250 pounds), ispositioned on the underside of the track 10 and secured in place withthe support chain 42. The clamps 24,26 are then entrained about thebushing 14. As the cylinder 30 is extended the clamps 24,26 dig into thebushing 14 firmly gripping the bushing.

Extending the cylinder 30 further torques the bushing 14 and preloadsthe impactors 36,38 to develop peak impact force. After the maximumstroke is reached the shaft retracts, slacking off the clamping force,and applies force for continued turning of the bushing 14.

The support chain 42 reacts the force output of the fluid motor 30 andeccentric motor static force and supports the entire apparatus when thefluid motor 30 is ratcheting the chain 24.

The bushing 14 is rotated by impacting the links 12 and applying arotative force to the links 12 which is opposite in direction to therotative force applied to the bushing 14 connected to the links 12. Thelinks 12 which are connected to one end of the bushing 14 are impacted,then the links 12 connected to the other end are impacted in analternating manner thereby alternately pushing and pulling the link 12.

Thus, the bushing 14 is rotated relative to the connected link 12 withthe track 10 fully assembled and without the use of excessive fluidpressures. The bushing turning apparatus 22 is compact and comparativelyeasy to operate.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtainedfrom a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for controllably rotating a trackchain bushing (14) relative to a pair of track chain links (12)connected to opposed ends of the bushing (14), comprising:a clamp (24)having a construction sufficient for circumferentially engaging thebushing (14) with a force sufficient for preventing relative motionbetween the clamp (24) and bushing (14); a hydraulic cylinder (30)connected to the clamp (24) and movable between a retracted position andan extended position; first means (28) for extending the cylinder (30)and applying a turning force to the clamp (24) and torquing the bushing(14) a preselected amount in a first direction; second means (32) forsuccessively impacting a selected one of the pair of links (12) a numberof times sufficient for rotating the bushing (14) a preselected amountrelative to the selected link (12) and alternatively, successivelyimpacting the other one of the pair of links (12) a number of timessufficient for rotating the bushing (14) a preselected amount relativeto said other link (12) said second means (32) including an eccentriccrankshaft motor (34) having first and second impactors (36,38) of asize sufficient for impacting a selected area of an associated link(12); and a support chain (42) entrained about the bushing (14) andconnected at its end points to the motor (34), said chain (42)maintaining the impactors (36,38) at locations sufficient for impactingthe links (12).
 2. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein theclamp (24) is a chain type clamp.
 3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim1, including a second clamp (26), said clamps (24,26) being positionedbetween the links (12) at opposed end portions of the bushing (14). 4.An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the chain (42) hasrollers (44) for circumferentially engaging the surface of the bushing(14).